The Venue ruined the experience
by Nani on 6/4/25Hoyt Sherman Place - Des MoinesRating: 2 out of 5I love Josh Johnson. I watch his YouTube videos, and I've known him since his Comedy Central special days. I was looking forward to this show for months; I bought tickets in January for the June 1 show. I have never been to Des Moines, so I figured this would be even more special. From the outside, the place is nice, and I get the historical factor about the Hoyt Sherman Place...but! It is very outdated inside and does not accommodate a large number of people. The main level bathroom is just one bathroom for everyone. You have to go up to the second floor to use the bathrooms, where there were only 3 cramped stalls for the women's restroom.
It was unbearably hot inside, and even when everything settled and the show started, it was still hot. The biggest downfall was the seats. They are so tiny and too close to one another. We had to sit awkwardly the whole show for our whole row because none of us were petite. My husband had to step out because it was becoming too claustrophobic for him, and the entire night we had to sit with our knees rubbed against each other because there was not enough space between rows, so you had to sit with ur legs open if you're taller than 5'5". I love my husband dearly, but rubbing our hot, sweaty knees together was a new irritation I never knew would develop.
The runner-ups were great, as well as the flower girls, and Josh was incredible, but I just felt so uncomfortable the entire time I was there. I definitely want to see him again, but never at Hoyt Sherman Place.